Information processing apparatus and method, and photoelectric conversion apparatus
View Patent ↗An information processing apparatus includes: multiple optical propagation paths configured to propagate light; a photoelectric conversion element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light propagated through each of the multiple optical propagation paths at mutually different partial areas in a photoelectric conversion area; and an estimating unit configured to estimate illuminance or color temperature to be obtained at the photoelectric conversion element, using an electric signal corresponding to light propagated through each of the optical propagation paths.
1. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a plurality of optical propagation paths configured to propagate light;
a photoelectric conversion element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light propagated through each of the plurality of optical propagation paths at mutually different partial areas in a photoelectric conversion area; and
an estimating unit configured to estimate illuminance or color temperature to be obtained at the photoelectric conversion element, using an electric signal corresponding to light propagated through each of the optical propagation paths.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a control unit configured to control execution of processing based on the illuminance or the color temperature estimated by the estimating unit.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:
an operation accepting unit configured to accept a user operation based on the illuminance or the color temperature estimated by the estimating unit;
wherein the control unit controls execution of the processing in accordance with the user operation accepted by the operation accepting unit.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a detecting unit configured to detect a position based on the illuminance or the color temperature estimated by the estimating unit;
wherein the control unit controls execution of the processing in accordance with the position detected by the detecting unit.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a display unit configured to display information;
wherein the control unit controls luminance of the display unit based on the illuminance or the color temperature estimated by the estimating unit.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls execution of the processing based on temporal change in the illuminance or the color temperature estimated by the estimating unit.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an emission unit configured to emit light;
wherein the optical propagation paths propagate light output from the emission unit in a direction opposite to light to be subjected to photoelectric conversion.
8. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus performs photoelectric conversion on light propagated through a plurality of optical propagation paths configured to propagate light, at mutually different partial areas in a photoelectric conversion area, and estimates illuminance or color temperature using an obtained electric signal corresponding to light propagated through each of the optical propagation paths.
9. An information processing apparatus comprising:
an optical propagation path configured to propagate light;
a photoelectric conversion element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light propagated through the optical propagation path at a partial area in a photoelectric conversion area, and to perform photoelectric conversion on light not propagated through the optical propagation path at another area in the photoelectric conversion area; and
an estimating unit configured to estimate illuminance or color temperature to be obtained at the partial area in the photoelectric conversion area, using an electric signal corresponding to light propagated through the optical propagation path.
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a module configured to shield the whole of the photoelectric conversion area against peripheries excluding an optical path of light where photoelectric conversion is performed.
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising:
a shielding plate configured to mutually shield the partial area and the other area.
12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the photoelectric conversion element includes
a first readout unit configured to read out an electric signal to be obtained in the partial area, and
a second readout unit configured to read out an electric signal to be obtained in the other area, which operates independently from the first readout unit.
13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9 , further comprising:
an image data generator configured to generate image data using an electric signal corresponding to light not propagated through the optical propagation path, to be obtained in the other area.
14. An information processing method for an information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus performs, in a partial area of a photoelectric conversion area of a photoelectric conversion element, photoelectric conversion on light propagated through an optical propagation path, estimates illuminance or color temperature using an obtained electric signal, and performs, in another area in the photoelectric conversion area, photoelectric conversion on light not propagated through the optical propagation path.
15. A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
a plurality of optical propagation paths configured to propagate light; and
a photoelectric conversion element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light propagated through the plurality of optical propagation paths at mutually different partial areas in a photoelectric conversion area.
16. The photoelectric conversion apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the optical propagation path is made up of a predetermined substance;
and wherein the light propagates through the substance.
17. The photoelectric conversion apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the optical propagation path is an optical fiber made of quartz glass.
18. A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
an optical propagation path configured to propagate light; and
a photoelectric conversion element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on light propagated through the optical propagation path at a partial area in a photoelectric conversion area, and to perform photoelectric conversion on light not propagated through the optical propagation path at another area in the photoelectric conversion area.
19. The photoelectric conversion apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the optical propagation path is made up of a predetermined substance;
and wherein the light propagates through the substance.
20. The photoelectric conversion apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein the optical propagation path is an optical fiber made of quartz glass.